The National Democratic Front of the Philippines said the lack of justice, 30 years after the Mendiola massacre shows the need for the country to have a genuine agrarian reform program.
Members of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines negotiating panel (left) and members of the Philippine government peace panel begin discussing the substantive agenda on the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms on the second day of the peace talks in Rome, Italy Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. This is the third round of GRP-NDFP peace talks facilitated by the Royal Norwegian Government. (Zea Io Ming C. Capistrano/davaotoday.com)
Peace panels from the government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines during the opening ceremonies of the third round of peace talks in Rome, Italy on Thusday, Jan. 19, 2017. From left: NDFP chief consultant Jose Maria Sison, Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Forner, NDFP chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili, GRP peace panel chair Silvestre Bello III, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr., Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and Norwegian Special Envoy Elisabeth Slattum. (Zea Io Ming C. Capistrano/davaotoday.com)
Meeting the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines is listed on the bucket list of Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. Yasay said he admires Sison's dedication for the welfare of the Filipino people. The two met during the opening of the third round of the GRP-NDF peace talks in Rome, Italy on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. (Zea Io Ming C. Capistrano/davaotoday.com)
Optimistic and looking forward to a more fruitful deal, peace negotiators from both Philippine government and the communists met after more than three months during the opening of the third round of peace negotiations here on Thursday at 10:00 am.